North Korea arrests shipyard officials after warship mishap before Kim Jong Un

Reuters

North Korea has arrested top shipyard officials after a warship launch failed in front of Kim Jong Un, an incident he called a disgrace to the nation.

North Korean authorities have arrested several shipyard officials following a major accident during the launch of a 5,000-tonne warship, state media reported on Sunday.

The failed launch reportedly took place at the northeastern port of Chongjin and was witnessed by leader Kim Jong Un. He described the incident as damaging to the country’s dignity and pledged that those responsible would be punished.

State news agency KCNA said the chief engineer of the Chongjin Shipyard was among those detained as the investigation intensifies.

Satellite imagery from the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies shows the vessel covered in blue tarps, partially capsized with its stern in the harbor and the bow still on the slipway. Experts believe the mishap occurred in front of a large audience, causing public embarrassment for Kim who had intended the event as a display of military power.

Kim has ordered the ship to be repaired before an upcoming ruling party meeting in June. KCNA stated that work on the rehabilitation is already in progress.

In a separate dispatch, North Korea's defense ministry said the country's armed forces will firmly contain and control military threats from enemy states amid a growing US military presence in the region.

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